Chapter 114

I stare at Dr. Bennett like I’ve lost all ability to comprehend human speech. Maybe I have. His words aren’t sinking in. He’s asking me to choose between Sophia and her baby. Does he have any idea how impossible that is?

"Mr. Blackwood, we don’t have time," he urges, voice tight. "We need your decision now."

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I try again—same damn result.

"Mr. Blackwood?" The nurse’s voice is soft, hesitant.

"Save the baby," Amelia says suddenly, cutting through the silence. "If it comes to that… save the baby."

The doctor and nurse exchange a glance before rushing back through the ER doors. I turn to Amelia, something dark and unreadable churning inside me.

She meets my gaze, jaw set. "Don’t look at me like that, Ethan. This is what Sophia would want."

Natalie steps forward, arms crossed like she’s bracing for a fight. "She’s right. Sophia would choose her child over herself every single time. If we didn’t, she’d never forgive us."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Because she’s right. But that doesn’t make the weight in my chest any lighter.

I would never wish harm on her baby. All I’m praying for now is that it doesn’t come to a choice at all. That they both make it. Sophia deserves happiness. That baby deserves life.

I drop back into the chair, hands clenched. Waiting is torture. But what else can I do? I’m not a damn surgeon. I can’t fix this. All I have left is prayer.

I don’t even remember the last time I prayed. Probably as a kid, in some half-forgotten church pew. Right now, I’d beg any god listening. I’d trade places with her in a heartbeat, even if it meant I wouldn’t walk out of here.

Just let her live. Let her glare at me, yell at me—anything. I’d give up everything to undo what happened.

"It’s my fault."

Amelia’s voice is raw. She’s crying silently, tears streaking down her face.

"She called me. I missed it. I told myself I’d call back after work. If I’d just answered—"

Nathan pulls her into his arms, murmuring something low.

"It’s not your fault," he says. "You couldn’t have known."

Natalie wraps her arms around herself, shaking. "If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. She wanted to go shopping. I said I was busy. If I’d been there—maybe I could’ve stopped it."

Victoria steps forward, voice trembling. "None of you could’ve predicted this. The only one responsible is the bastard who hurt her."

My mother nods. "Blaming yourselves won’t help. Focus on Sophia and the baby. Pray for them."

I don’t speak. My eyes stay locked on the ER doors.

This is hell. The waiting. The not knowing. I just need someone to tell me she’s okay. That they’re both safe. That this isn’t the end.

Every part of me is screaming for a miracle. Begging death to stay the hell away. It’s not their time. Not yet.

"Remember when she walked straight into that glass door at the mall?" Amelia says suddenly, a weak laugh in her voice.

Natalie snorts. "Face first, then flat on her ass."

"She was so embarrassed, but she couldn’t stop laughing."

A few people chuckle. It grates on me. My teeth clench.

"Or that time the waiter overheard her calling him hot," Natalie adds, smiling. "We were trying to signal her, but she didn’t get it until he cleared his throat."

Amelia wipes her eyes. "She made us leave. Couldn’t even look at him."

Silence falls. Everyone’s lost in memories. Most of them don’t have good ones—they treated Sophia like garbage. But Amelia and Natalie do.

"We have so many stories to tell Liam and the baby," Amelia murmurs. "So much to show them about how incredible their mother is."

Something in me snaps.

"Stop." My voice is low, dangerous.

Amelia blinks. "What?"

"Stop talking about her like she’s already gone!" I roar. "She’s not dead. She’s fighting. She’s coming back."

They’re speaking in past tense. Like they’ve already accepted she won’t make it. And I can’t fucking stand it.

Before Amelia can respond, the ER doors swing open. A different doctor steps out.

Victoria jumps up. "How is she?"

"We’re prepping her for surgery to remove the bullets. The C-section went smoothly for the baby."

Relief floods the room. But I don’t miss the way he phrased it. For the baby. What about Sophia?

Before I can ask, he smiles.

"Congratulations. It’s a girl."